Google creating YouTube "channels", $100 million is being spent on original content

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that YouTube is looking to spend $100 million on original programming. It's a move that Google would obviously hope is successful, in a world of instant video, original programming is also still the way to go.

Google is hoping to have YouTube compete with broadcast and cable television, with a goal to keep viewers on their site longer, and to convince advertisers that it will reach desirable customers.

YouTube is set to change its home page to highlight sets of "channels" around topics such as arts and sports. Roughly 20 of these channels will feature several hours of professionally produced original programming per week.